Shaman Ghost Rallies to Take Queen's Plate

Shaman Ghost ended a long wait for multiple Eclipse and Sovereign Award-winning owner and breeder Frank Stronach when he rallied in deep stretch to win the $1 million Queen’s Plate Stakes  July 5 at Woodbine.

In a race that seemed to change complexion several times, Shaman Ghost landed the final punch to post a victory over Charles Fipke homebred Danish Dynaformer, who entered off a victory in the Plate Trial Stakes, was bumped early in Sunday's race, took command off the final turn, but yielded late to the winner.

With the victory in the season’s first Canadian classic, Shaman Ghost gave Stronach Stables its first Queen’s Plate victory since Awesome Again   won the 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds in 1997. It’s the third Queen’s Plate win for Stronach, who claimed the 1994 edition with Basqueian.

Bred in Ontario at Adena Springs, Shaman Ghost is a son of Stronach homebred Ghostzapper  , a Horse of the Year and Racing Hall of Famer. Shaman Ghost is the first stakes winner from three starters, two winners, out of the stakes-placed Gilded Time mare Getback Time.

"Just as I was walking in the grass near the saddling area I looked down and saw a four-leaf clover," Stronach said. "That's usually a good sign, but I had a good feeling all day long, because the horse beat every horse in the race before in better times. I think this time, we got a real good horse and he was hardly breathing when he came over here (to the winner's circle)."

Shaman Ghost secured his fourth straight victory, while giving both trainer Brian Lynch and regular rider Rafael Hernandez their first Queen’s Plate scores in the 156th edition of the race.

Lynch said Shaman Ghost had been improving this spring. Entered off a half-length victory in the May 16 Marine Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine, where Danish Dynaformer finished third, Shaman Ghost put it all together Sunday to top a dozen rivals.

"We'll certainly have a good night. It's a prestigious race, but to win it for the Stronachsm (it's great)," Lynch said. "I thought it was a great ride—very patient. I thought a few jocks panicked at the quarter-pole, but you can see (Hernandez) sort of sitting. We had the best horse on the day.

"I could just see Rafael's red cap moving forward, moving forward, trying to get himself in a good position. I knew this horse would have some finish to him and I knew I had the right rider. He is very patient and would give this horse a fabulous ride."

As expected, Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser winner Academic seized the lead early, but she was pressed by a restrained Sweet Grass Creek the first time under the wire. In the first turn, jockey Jesse Campbell could hold back Sweet Grass Creek no more and he opened a clear advantage on Academic through a half-mile in :45.76. The second-place filly enjoyed a 4 1/2-length advantage on every other horse at that point. The eventual winner raced seventh at that point, 11 lengths behind the early leader.

Those two early leaders would soon give way after six furlongs in 1:10.82 and maiden winner Billy's Star would open a clear advantage through one mile in 1:37.54. Perfect Timber Partnership's Billy's Star would lead into the stretch, but yield to stablemate Danish Dynaformer in midstretch. Just as the latter appeared poised to give trainer Roger Attfield his ninth Queen's Plate win, Shaman Ghost found another gear.

Shaman Ghost, who had rallied four wide, surged to the lead late and drew off to the clear advantage. He completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.45 on the Polytrack.

"(Danish Dynaformer) made a move too early. I let him pass me," Hernandez said. "I know my horse always got a kick. So he did his thing. He made his kick down the lane."

Sent off the second choice at 3-1 odds, Shaman Ghost returned $8.60 to win, $5 to place, and $3.20 to show, while Danish Dynaformer, the favorite at 3-1, returned $4.30 and $3 to place and show. Conquest Stables Conquest Boogaloo was shut off the start and finished well to finish third, paying $3.90 to show.

Sweet Grass Creek and Academic tired, but they each crossed the finish and were walked off the track.